The best Indian vegetarian restaurants in Hong Kong, according to Tatler’s Indian editors

Think of Indian food, and what leaps into many people’s minds are items like garlic naan and chicken tikka; samosa and tandoori chicken—and perhaps understandably so, because these are ubiquitously found in Indian restaurants around the world. But while these dishes are undeniably delicious—if properly cooked, of course—they merely scratch the surface of the rich tapestry that is Indian cuisine.

In reality, Indian cuisine is incredibly diverse, with highly distinctive dishes and culinary styles that have evolved from each of its 28 states. It’s also one of the world’s best countries for vegetarian fare, be it street food or fine dining. However, in Hong Kong, vegetarian offerings at restaurants can sometimes feel like an afterthought. Fortunately, Indian vegetarian restaurants will have your back.

Tatler’s Indian editors have chosen their finest vegetarian restaurants, as well as Indian restaurants with excellent plant-based options.

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Bombay Dreams

Bombay Dreams is a place that really knows how to do Indian food right. The chefs here aren’t messing around—the menu is packed with all the classics, done to absolute perfection. The food has balanced spices, tender-as-can-be meats and veggies that’ll make your taste buds do a little dance. Add in their top-notch service, and you’ve got a dining experience that’ll transport you right to the heart of Mumbai. My favourite dish is the paneer makhni—homemade cottage cheese chunks simmered in tomato gravy with fenugreek leaves. Delicious.

Bombay DreamsAddress: 1/F, Winning Centre, HK Hong Kong Island, 46 Wyndham St, Central

- Tara Sobti, head of VIP content and community, Tatler Hong Kong

Veda

Veda is one of our editor’s favourite Indian vegetarian restaurant in Hong Kong (Photo: Instagram / @vedahk)

Chai masala burnt cheesecake—yummy! (Photo: Instagram / @coffeemeetjojo)

I’m not vegetarian but I do find myself eating less and less meat. When I’m looking for something meat-free (that isn’t tofu), I have to hand it to the wizards at Veda. Veda comes from the Sanskrit word “vid” meaning “to know” and these guys know what they are doing. Each dish is a party in your mouth. Think scrambled eggs, mushroom, truffle and cheese dosas, grilled paneer in cashew curry and chili cheese toast. I usually wash my meals down with their masala chai too. It’s like a homesick expat’s dream come true.

VedaAddress: Ovolo Central, 2 Arbuthnot Road, Central, Hong Kong

- Tara Sobti, head of VIP content and community, Tatler Hong Kong

Bengal Brothers

Indian street food joint, Bengal Brothers, which rebranded its Wan Chai venue from a takeaway to a boozy Indian canteen last year, is my go-to for kathi rolls [an Indian flatbread wrap] in the city. Their achaari paneer roll is divine—soft cottage cheese, onion, spices and mint chutney, wrapped in the warmest paratha. I find myself ordering it during rainy days (which let’s face it is pretty much every day, lately) and pairing it with a cup of freshly brewed chai. If that doesn’t put your heart and stomach at ease, I don’t know what else will. While it isn’t an exclusively vegetarian restaurant, any one of their starters could satiate the palates of strict vegetarians—from their chaat (a crispy cracker, yoghurt, chutney and pomegranate dish), to their gunpowder fries or their vada pav (potatoes in hot buttered buns). Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my keyboard.

Bengal Brothers, Deluxe Edition, 6 Johnston Road, Wan Chai;BaseHall, LG9, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong

- Tara Sobti, head of VIP content and community, Tatler Hong Kong

Branto

Pani puri from Branto (Photo: Instagram / @brantohk)

This dosa from Branto is one of our editors’ favourite Indian vegetarian dish in Hong Kong (Photo: Instagram / @brantohk)

While for Indian fine dining, New Punjab Club is my go-to restaurant, when I seek something more vegetarian-friendly, I usually head to Branto. It’s a non-descript hole-in-the-wall eatery in Tsim Sha Tsui, but what it lacks in decor and ambience, it more than makes up for in its expansive vegetarian menu. It has both South Indian and North Indian options: think crispy dosa, fluffy poori, pav bhaji and more. It also serves dishes in the Indian Chinese culinary style, which is extremely popular in India but very hard to get anywhere in Hong Kong. But if I had to pick one dish that stands out, it’s the vegetarian biryani. I must emphasise how good it is: I am non-vegetarian but when I get my hands on this vegetarian biryani, I don’t miss the non-veg version at all. I’m talking perfectly cooked rice and an explosion of flavours. It’s so ridiculously delicious that it could convert the most hardcore meat lover into a veggie enthusiast.

BrantoAddress: 1/F, 9-11 Lock road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

- Suchetana Mukhopadhyay, digital sub-editor, Tatler Hong Kong

Rajasthan Rifles

Don't miss out on Rajasthan Rifles’ Paneer Shashlik (Photo: Instagram / @rajasthanrifles)

I usually prefer homemade, mum-made Indian food, setting my standards for Indian cuisine incredibly high. Despite this, two Indian restaurants in Hong Kong have managed to impress me.

First, Rajasthan Rifles at The Peak offers a unique dining experience with its Anglo-Indian mess hall ambience. Its broccoli Nargis and mango lassi are simply divine, and enjoying an Old Monk rum and coke—a local favourite in Mumbai but a rarity in Hong Kong—makes this place feel more like home. Don’t miss out on its paneer shashlik—it’s a must-try, rather healthy, grilled cottage cheese treat that is making my mouth water as I type.

Rajasthan RiflesAddress: Shop G01 G/F, The Peak Galleria, 118 Peak Road, Central, Hong Kong

Anjappar Chettinad

Idlis from Anjappar Chettinad is one of our editors’ favourite (Photo: Anjappar Chettinad website)

A butter dosas from Anjappar Chettinad (Photo: Instagram / @dinosaurs_foodie)

Then there’s Anjappar Chettinad in Tsim Sha Tsui, a no-frills spot where the authenticity of South Indian cuisine shines. It’s the ideal place to find a fix for your hangovers. While it is brimming with vegetarian options like idli and masala dosa, the onion pakoda with masala chai is ideal for a rainy day. If you cannot make up your mind, I highly recommend the vegetarian thali, which is a wholesome meal on its own. And if you are looking to explore the Indian take on Sichuan cuisine, try the Schezwan fried rice. Wash it down with some cooling buttermilk or chaas and get ready to enter a food coma. Thank me later.

Anjappar ChettinadAddress: Multifield Plaza, unit 202, 2/F, 3 Prat Avenue, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

- Amrita Katara, watch and jewellery editor, Tatler Hong Kong

Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant

The dosa at Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant is a must-try item (Photo: Instagram / @ffantomfoodie)

Classic dish idli sambar is also one of our editor’s favourites (Photo: Instagram / @thetastylife_)

No muss, no fuss, Sangeetha is a casual but bustling vegetarian restaurant, primarily known for its Tamil and South Indian food. Dosas are a must if you’re visiting, while there are many types to choose from, the plain, ghee podi and kal are highlights as are other classic dishes such as idli and vadas, all of which come with coconut chutney and sambar.

Fun fact, Sangeetha also has Chindian dishes—a fusion of Chinese and Indian flavours (don’t think of it as Chinese food, it’s its own cuisine)—the gobi Manchurian (deep fried cauliflower dish) and chilli paneer are worth a try! Top it all off with the South Indian filter coffee, which is pretty much as authentic as it gets.

Sangeetha Vegetarian RestaurantAddress: UG 1-5 & 31, Wing On Plaza, 62 Mody Road, East Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong

- Aaina Bhargava, arts and culture editor, Tatler Hong Kong

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